Vitamin B6

(pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine)

DRI (RDA or AI for Adults)

Under age 51: 1.3 mg. Ages 51 and older: 1.7 mg (Males) and 1.5 mg (Females). Pregnancy: 1.9 mg. Lactation: 2.0 mg.

Adult Maintenance - Therapeutic Range

10 - 200 mg

Major Sources (1.5 mg to 0.4 mg per serving)

Beef liver, veal liver, brewers yeast, banana, salmon, chicken light meat, chicken liver, herring, turkey liver, turkey light meat, beef kidney, potato w/skin, baked beans, prune juice, filberts, halibut, shrimp.

Non-Therapeutic Importance

As a coenzyme, aids in the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids and in the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids from essential fatty acids; essential for conversion of tryptophan to niacin; essential for normal growth.

Deficiency Symptoms

Convulsions
Dermatitis
Glossitis

Increased Risk for Deficiency

Alcoholism
Elderly
High-protein diet
Hyperthyroidism
Liver disease
Stress
Uremia

Possible Therapeutic Applications

CONSULT WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FIRST: HIGH DOSAGE NOTE: Do not take if you are under L-dopa treatment for Parkinson's disease. Supplementation may prevent, correct deficiencies caused by, or be helpful with, the following conditions:

Acne
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS, HIV)
Aging
Alcoholism
Allergies (allergic rhinitis, hay fever)
Anxiety
Asthma
Atherosclerosis (heart disease)
Cancer
Candidiasis (yeast infection)
Canker Sores
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Celiac Disease
Cerebrovascular Disease (including stroke)
Crohn's Disease
Diabetes
Eating Disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibromyalgia
Headache (migraine)
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Immunodepression (immune function)
Impotence
Infertility (female)
Intermittent Claudication (poor circulation)
Kidney Stones
Learning Disorders (including ADHD)
Memory Loss (Alzheimer's disease, dementia)
Menopause
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peptic Ulcers
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Retinopathy
Rheumatoid Arthritis